Hey! I just posted that on the previous thread.

Let’s hope playing for the AHL franchise in DEN didn’t dilute his talent too far.
____________

Salei (6-foot-1, 212) brings a rugged, physical element to the defense. He was suspended for 10 games in October 1999 for checking Mike Modano, then with Dallas, from behind into the boards face-first. Modano sustained a concussion, strained ligaments in his neck and a broken nose.
____________________________________________________

Is this another “can’t we all just get along” ploy by Holland similar to putting Bertuzzi and Chelios on the same team?

For $750,000 this is not a bad deal at all.

This presumes that the Wings have confidence that his back will allow him to play?  Otherwise this would be too big a risk.

Posted by RWBill from Mike Modano’s dentist. on 08/09/10 at 01:49 PM ET

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 08/09/10 at 01:51 PM ET

Messed up timestamp, Chief.

I don’t know what to think of this signing.  In Tick Tock we trust, as well as Uncle Mike, no doubt. 

BUT… it is hard to wash the stench of rancid sperm that every Dive uniform has embedded into the fabric.  Also getting Darren Garcia’s lipstick off the collar is a bitch also.

Of all the teams, why did it have to be a Vagalanche player?

Excuse me, I’m going to be sick and then cut myself.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 01:52 PM ET

From previous thread:

I like the Salei pickup.
On a side note, I like how Kenny lured us all in with the Willie Mitchell talk and then brought in a guy we hadn’t even considered.  Very redolent of the Brunnstrom/Leino dealings.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/10 at 01:45 PM ET

That is why Tick Tock is a wizard.  All magic depends upon misdirection.

Tick Tock had us chasing our willies and pulled another rabbit out of his hat.

Meanwhile, Khan(!) is still muttering about Lukas Krajicek.  I heard that he got that lead while visiting a men’s bath house.  He really had to dig deep to get the most out of that source.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 01:57 PM ET

Well, I always trust in Kenny. But the fact that Uncle Mike signed off… that removes any doubts I had. I look forward to seeing what he can bring.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 08/09/10 at 01:57 PM ET

Posted by some kid on 08/09/10 at 01:58 PM ET

Meanwhile, Khan(!) is still muttering about Lukas Krajicek.  I heard that he got that lead while visiting a men’s bath house.  He really had to dig deep to get the most out of that source.
Posted by VooX

Kahn has completed the trio (Larry King, Drew Sharp) of media to ignore.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 08/09/10 at 02:00 PM ET

I approve of the Salei pick-up. We always can use more D and, he is a mean SOB to boot.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 08/09/10 at 02:01 PM ET

Another thought… Salei’s best performances were arguably with Uncle Mike as his coach… and I’m sure Babbles has all sorts of wonderful pep talks to give Ruslan:

“Hey Ruslan, remember when I stayed out and watched the Devils celebrate beating us? Did you watch that too?”

“Hey Ruslan, I won a Cup with this team, but you were languishing in hockey hell instead.”

“Hey Ruslan, please be like Dallas Drake, but on D.”

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 08/09/10 at 02:04 PM ET

Posted by some kid

That is exactly who I thought of too. Forgot he won a Cup though.

Posted by Osrt on 08/09/10 at 02:07 PM ET

$750K versus Lilja asking for $1.5 mil and St. James says that Babcock sold Salei on coming to Detroit.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 08/09/10 at 02:08 PM ET

Screw who he played for.

Fact is he sucks, has worse puck skills than Lilja, and the same propensity for making really dumb plays at really bad times.

I now hate Modano even more.

Posted by Primis on 08/09/10 at 02:08 PM ET

For $750K adding an experienced DMan who can be a major irritant and distraction to play against, letting Lidstrom and Kronwall and Rafalski run on other shifts, is a pretty darn good pick up…...  if healthy back.

I will trust Tick Tock and Uncle Mike.  Again, this is a team that scouts other players all season long.  Things that appear knee-jerk to us are usually well researched in advance.

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 08/09/10 at 02:09 PM ET

Salei said that he enjoyed playing for Babcock, which is a big deal. Given Mike’s reputation as being a bit of a hard-ass, anyone who actually enjoys playing that in environment is going to be a good fit. Hell, we won a Cup after trading for Jiri Slegr, so I guess Salei isn’t that bad.

I gotta agree with Voox, though; anytime someone has worn those ugly Dive sweaters, it’s like a permanent stain has permeated his very soul. Rest assured that the first time he messes up in a game, my first thought will be “He probably learned that dick move in Colorado”.

Posted by Amerinadian from Chicago via Toronto on 08/09/10 at 02:10 PM ET

Fact is he sucks, has worse puck skills than Lilja, and the same propensity for making really dumb plays at really bad times.
I now hate Modano even more.
Posted by Primis on 08/09/10 at 02:08 PM ET

I appreciate your comments.  I will weigh them against the opinions of Babcock, Nill, and Holland and come to my own conclusion.

Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 08/09/10 at 02:11 PM ET

We replaced a pylon with a cheaper, meaner pylon.

If his back holds up, I’m looking forward to his playoff contributions.  Pylons get away with more holding and interference in the postseason. *cough Hal Gill cough*

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/10 at 02:14 PM ET

Kahn has completed the trio (Larry King, Drew Sharp) of media to ignore.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from A. K. A. NostraGrampus on 08/09/10 at 02:00 PM ET

You can make a more comprehensive list to ignore.  Some names I would add to my media blackout list:

Hockey Media Blackout:
Delicate Genius
Adrien Dater
Steve Simmons
Any Deep Digger
Damien Cox
Mike Milbury
Al Strachan

Non-Hockey Media Blackout:
Glenn Beck / Bill O’Reilly / Sean Hannity / every other Roger Ailes sock-puppet
Rush Limbaugh
Oprah Winfrey
Laura Schlessinger
Geraldo Rivera

/semi-political rant

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 02:14 PM ET

Screw who he played for.

Fact is he sucks, has worse puck skills than Lilja, and the same propensity for making really dumb plays at really bad times.

I now hate Modano even more.

Posted by Primis on 08/09/10 at 02:08 PM ET

That’s a little harsh. I’d say that this is basically the same player as Lilja, for half the money.

Problem is expectations are unfair—too many people want Kenny to turn $1 million or less into a D-man with top four ability… just not going to happen.

If you reset your expectation to be more realistic—find a solid bottom-pairing D-man to stay at home with Ericsson—then the deal looks good. Lilja would’ve fit just fine, but why not sign an identical player with half the salary demands…

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 08/09/10 at 02:14 PM ET

101 games in the dive? how the fuch is his jersey not retired there yet?

Posted by Twig in Houston from Houston, TX on 08/09/10 at 02:14 PM ET

Defenseman with a mean streak who has a bad back?  Sounds like Uwe Krupp to me too.  I wonder how Salei feels about dog sledding…

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/09/10 at 02:15 PM ET

We replaced a pylon with a cheaper, meaner pylon

Exactly. He may give up the puck or make a mistake, but Lilja would have done the same thing. I’m surprised to find myself a little sad that Lilja won’t be back, but Salei is at worst a lateral move in terms of on-ice skills, and an upgrade in terms of his cap hit.

Posted by Amerinadian from Chicago via Toronto on 08/09/10 at 02:16 PM ET

The price is dirt cheap(shot), 1/2 a Pylon.  If his back is jacked up LTIR doesn’t count against the cap.

Posted by some kid on 08/09/10 at 01:58 PM ET

  Alol (tm TDT).

The braintrust is smarter than I am, still these are some strange limbs they are climbing out onto.

An aside, my Dad is out of of the ICU today, thank goodness.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 08/09/10 at 02:17 PM ET

I’d say that this is basically the same player as Lilja, for half the money.
Posted by Nathan

Don’t forget the fact that Salei isn’t one hit to the noggin away from shaking like a leaf on a tree for the rest of his life.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/09/10 at 02:17 PM ET

I hope we all remember what happened the last time the Wings acquired a veteran European defenseman who had previously played for the Quebec Nordique West franchise??

Uwe Krupp .....anybody….......

I hope Holland verified this guy is Not into Sled Dog Racing?????

Posted by Down River Dan on 08/09/10 at 02:18 PM ET

i would be much more excited about this if i hadn’t been teased with mitchell for the last week.

Posted by Twig in Houston from Houston, TX on 08/09/10 at 02:19 PM ET

Oh, St. James forgot to add something to the Salei story:

The Red Wings have shored up their defense with the addition of veteran Ruslan Salei, a former first-round pick.

AND he once scored 50 goals in juniors.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 08/09/10 at 02:20 PM ET

i would be much more excited about this if i hadn’t been teased with mitchell for the last week.

I would bet dollars to donuts that the Wings talked a lot with Willie, but he was just too expensive.

Posted by Amerinadian from Chicago via Toronto on 08/09/10 at 02:20 PM ET

Sure he played for the Dive, but he was traded to them, he didn’t choose to play for them.

Posted by Garth on 08/09/10 at 02:21 PM ET

Fact is he sucks, has worse puck skills than Lilja, and the same propensity for making really dumb plays at really bad times.
I now hate Modano even more.
Posted by Primis on 08/09/10 at 02:08 PM ET

I appreciate your comments.  I will weigh them against the opinions of Babcock, Nill, and Holland and come to my own conclusion.
Posted by RWBill from Mike Modano’s dentist. on 08/09/10 at 02:11 PM ET

I see what you did there.

I will trust Tick Tock and Uncle Mike.  Again, this is a team that scouts other players all season long.  Things that appear knee-jerk to us are usually well researched in advance.
Posted by RWBill from Mike Modano’s dentist. on 08/09/10 at 02:09 PM ET

According to Capgeek, the updated numbers leave us right up against the cap, without having signed Abdelkader, Miller, Maltby. 

Nevermind that, though, as we all know the Wings have the best roster and cap management in all of sports.

I think this signing also sends a strong message to our young defenceman fighting for a roster spot.  After hearing news of Willie Mitchell, who would certainly be our #6 d-man, this signing gives our young prospects a chance to crack the 3rd defensive pairing.

By getting him onboard for such a low number, Tick Tock is sending a message to the young guns that he won’t trade everybody just for a free-agent to join the roster.  Also, Tick Tock must be sending some hope to the young defencemen that there is room on our roster for them if they play well. 

I could see Ruslan in rotation all year in and out of the 3rd pairing and the press box.  Save his back and his mean-streak for the playoffs when, as JJ pointed out, defencemen are allowed more leeway in applying Pronger-Fissix by the refs.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 02:26 PM ET

And the pun parade starts already on Twitter:

JJfromKansas - What’s that Hawaiian flower thingy around your neck, Ruslan? - It Salei.

Liam from Babcock’s Fly Hair - Oh ken Holland, you Salei me.

Me - Super Mario after deafeating Bowser: “It’s-a-me, Mario…I Salei the dragon!”

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/09/10 at 02:26 PM ET

An aside, my Dad is out of of the ICU today, thank goodness.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 08/09/10 at 02:17 PM ET

Great stuff.  Best news I’ve heard all week, Okie.  All the best to you and the family, especially your dad.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 02:27 PM ET

We replaced a pylon with a cheaper, meaner pylon

A pylon that likes playing in Babcock’s hard ass system? I’m all for it.

...is it October yet?

Posted by D4LRob on 08/09/10 at 02:27 PM ET

According to Capgeek, the updated numbers leave us right up against the cap, without having signed Abdelkader, Miller, Maltby. 

Posted by VooX

Miller’s signed for $650K back on July 6th.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/09/10 at 02:29 PM ET

From HSJ article linked by Malik above:

With last week’s signings of Mike Modano and Darren Helm, all that’s left for the Wings to do before camp begins is put the finishing touches on a deal with Justin Abdelkader.

Is she forgetting about Miller?  I’d love to see him back and would sacrifice Kindl to do it, as he has not lived up to his potential and Miller is such a good fit on the Wings.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 02:29 PM ET

  According to Capgeek, the updated numbers leave us right up against the cap, without having signed Abdelkader, Miller, Maltby.
Posted by VooX

Miller’s signed for $650K back on July 6th.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/09/10 at 02:29 PM ET

I completely misread Capgeek.  I saw Williams and read Miller.  Ignore my last comments on the subject.

Crack is a hell of a drug.  My wolfpack prefers roofies.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 02:30 PM ET

By the way, Animal Drew, you’ve been killing it this summer at NOHS. 

I meant to email you similar sentiments, but didn’t have the chance, so as you are here…

Kudos, sir, excellent work and keep it up, bitch.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 02:33 PM ET

Sure he played for the Dive, but he was traded to them, he didn’t choose to play for them.

Posted by Garth on 08/09/10 at 02:21 PM ET

I can get behind this kind of logic.

Posted by ITDeuce from The Land of Ice and Snow on 08/09/10 at 02:34 PM ET

The challenge is out.

+10 internets to the first Photoshopper to show me Princess Saleia. Bonus 10 if it’s in a gold bikini chained to Ken Hitchcock.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/10 at 02:35 PM ET

I wonder if Meech has packed his bags yet? And Miller and Ritola should have theirs packed as well just in case. Salei’s $750 leaves the Wings with $295k in cap space – with Abi to sign yet. So at least two guys are on their way out.

As for Salei’s capabilities, here’s Forecaster.com’s list of assets and flaws…

ASSETS: Can log a ton of ice time without issue. Is a well-liked teammate in the locker room. Displays all-around prowess. Can play a nasty game from behind the blue-line from time to time.

FLAWS: Can at times make bad decisions with the puck in the defensive zone. Is also known to take a few undisciplined penalties from time to time.

To me, he sounds like a great pairing for either Ericsson or Kindl. Mitchell would have been better, but this is still a good signing.

Posted by OlderThanChelios on 08/09/10 at 02:36 PM ET

Meech or Kindl…  Who do we get rid of to make room for Abdelkader?

At first I was thinking Kindl, but we don’t really know what he is capable of.  Now I’m thinking Meech.  We know he’s about as useless as tits on a nun.

We need cap space for Abdelkader and in case a goalie gets hurt.

In Tick-Tock we trust.

A little later on I will detail my dream last night featuring Lidstrom and Yzerman.  It was an omen, bitches.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 02:37 PM ET

Posted by OlderThanChelios on 08/09/10 at 02:36 PM ET

Ritola… another name to add to the list.

If we got rid of Meech and Ritola, I could still sleep well at night knowing the Wings will be raising the Cup again in a bunch of Tuesdays from now in 2011.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/09/10 at 02:39 PM ET

so… for 1.2 or 1.3 mil, this is a risky move. 

for $750k it’s a typical red wings steal. we now will have the funds to bring up an emergency AHL player all season and even make a small prorated move at the deadline.

and this dude’s exactly what the Wings needed. no offense to all of those here who have been stroking themselves over the idea of having the longest stick in the league on the Wings. But Willie Mitchell is NOT twice as good as Salei and is NOT worth twice the money. Lilja? also not worth twice the money.

We get a guy who made over $3mil for $750. Primis, you say he “sucks”, but I would argue that ALL 6th defensemen pretty much suck… that’s sort of their role. The fact is this a stay at home vet who can get a little nasty. That’s all Big Rig needs. Remember, this signing isn’t so much about getting a “good” 6th dman as much as it is getting Big Rig back on track to becoming the dominant top 4 dman he’s projected to be. Look at last year - when Lilja came back, it wasn’t so much that Lilja did anything all that noticeable, but overnight Ericcson’s game returned to the form it was in the previous playoffs. His mistakes aren’t nearly as glaring because there’s a guy picking up the slack rather than a Lebda doing speed skating laps dreaming of his next opportunity for a fluttering wrist shot into the goalie’s chest.

Lebda makes TWICE as much as we just signed this guy for. That is friggin hilarious! I’d take Salei right now at this price over Lebda AT THIS PRICE!! This will be a great fit.

And Primis, I’m eager to see at what point this season you suddenly stop “hating” (our 3rd line Hall of Famer) Mike Modano. We’ll get the bandwagon all ready for you.

Posted by perfection from LaLaLand on 08/09/10 at 02:39 PM ET

Meech or Kindl… Who do we get rid of to make room for Abdelkader?

Meech, but only because Kindl’s got some untapped potential. We know what Meech brings to the team, which is the same as the guy who brings cups and plates to a work potluck lunch: a half-assed attempt at contributing. Kindl could still be a quality addition to the team in a couple of years, and from what I’ve heard, he actually hits guys every now and then.

Posted by Amerinadian from Chicago via Toronto on 08/09/10 at 02:41 PM ET

also… since i just caught up with the posts written while I gradually wrote that last post, getting rid of Kindl is a horrible horrible idea. Red Wings don’t finish “developing” until they roast on the spit for a few in the NHL. that’s when they get to practice with Lidstrom every day. That’s when they learn what it REALLY means to put that logo on. that’s when they realize that Datsyuk isn’t just “that good”, but works as hard as anyone in the league. Kindl has a bigger upside than Miller and Meech combined. Of course he might not pan out, but it’d be HUGE mistake to not wait and see. I actually don’t even think that is on the table at this point. As long as they’ve committed to developing him, he will get his opportunity… and how he did in the AHL is really not a perfect measure. Just ask Jimmy Howard what big league coaching, teammates, facilities, and confidence will do for an underperforming first round draft pick that we think may have not developed the way we thought he should have.

Posted by perfection from LaLaLand on 08/09/10 at 02:47 PM ET

Challenge over,

NoHS sent me a nice pic with the hair, but @Lolabythebay wins the internets.

http://twitpic.com/2d6gie

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/09/10 at 02:49 PM ET

Color me worried about his injury issues and PIM totals.

Mostly the PIMS. If he’s injured, there are others to step in.

But, dude’s rocking a 1.2 PIM per game record for his career. From what I can tell from Hockeyfights.com most of those don’t come from fighting majors. I’m just concerned what could happen with both he and Bert lace them up in the same game. We could be shorthanded far too often for my liking.

Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 08/09/10 at 02:50 PM ET

So at least two guys are on their way out.

Why at least two?  If we lose Ritola or Miller that gives us enough room to sign Abedelkader.

And yeah, it would be nice to have enough room to call someone up, but if you’ve got a 23-man roster then you don’t HAVE to call anyone up as soon.

At first I was thinking Kindl, but we don’t really know what he is capable of.

Wow, why?  He’s got loads of potential and while we don’t know what he’s capable of, do we know what Meech is capable of.

I’m all for keeping Miller of Ritola because Miller’s earned a spot while Ritola is still just “potential”, but in the Meech vs Kindl argument Meech hasn’t really set himself apart from anyone or shown that he’s earned that spot.  To me, potential versus what Meech has shown is pretty much a wash.  I’d rather go with potential.

Plus, I just think a change of scenario would be good for Meech.  I think he’s probably capable of more than what he’s done in Detroit (even if it’s just to solidify that he’s a day-to-day third-pairing defenseman), but he’ll never get that chance in Detroit.

Posted by Garth on 08/09/10 at 02:54 PM ET

Not sure I understand your guys cap math.

CapGeek (http://www.capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=15) shows that WITH the up-to-date numbers from the Salei signing, that the Wings have over $800k of cap space.

Additionally, the signing of Salei means that Meech has no place—he’ll be traded, waived and picked up, or end up in GR… whatever, what’s for sure is his $500k won’t be against our cap.

Furthermore, one of Miller/Ritola won’t be counting against our cap (whether it’s Miller via trade or waivers, or Ritola via trade, waivers, or making it through to GR). Worst case, that will add another $500k+ in space.

So effectively, that’s $1.8 million in cap space to sign one player, Abdelkader.

Given what Helm got, I have to think the ceiling for Abdelkader’s deal is a cool million. That leaves $800k in case a player needs to be called up due to a short-term injury, or to try and fit something in at the deadline if there’s some pressing need. Not a lot of wiggle room, and I’m not counting on the deadline being eventful for us, but at least we have wiggle room for short-term injuries, unlike last year… then again, last year all the injuries were long-term so LTIR did the trick.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 08/09/10 at 02:58 PM ET

Also, right now the Wings have 24 players that would count against the cap once the season starts, and Abby will be signed, so that’s 25. So yes, two have to go somewhere. One of these is almost definitely Meech, and there’s always a chance Ritola makes it through to GR, but I doubt it.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 08/09/10 at 03:01 PM ET

Challenge over,
NoHS sent me a nice pic with the hair, but @Lolabythebay wins the internets.
http://twitpic.com/2d6gie

I protest.  Anyone could just chop his damn head and paste in on there.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/09/10 at 03:02 PM ET

Fact is he sucks, has worse puck skills than Lilja, and the same propensity for making really dumb plays at really bad times.

Ditto.  The guy’s not much better than Tollefsen, whom we had in the fold and is younger and more durable, but has less NHL experience.  My big concern, however, is durability.  101 games for the Dive, 84 of them in the past two seasons.  If Kindl & Ericsson gel and don’t stink up the third pairing, then Salei can take some games off.  But if they gel and don’t stink it up, why do we need Salei again?  He’s not exactly the steady defensive presence that bottom pairing needs.  And if he’s injured, most likely will be, we’re back to where we were a day ago.

I will give him one thing—when he’s on his game and not trying too hard, he’s a good shot-blocker.  But he’s on his game less of the time than Lilja.

One disclaimer—he IS Belarussian, so I may be speaking with my “I don’t like Minsk or Lukashenko or their laborious and asinine visa-application process” hat on.

AND he once scored 50 goals in juniors.

I’m already drinking over this signing, one more won’t hurt.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 08/09/10 at 03:05 PM ET